Apparatus for rocking a seat

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for rocking a piece of furniture to which it is attached. The rocking apparatus includes at least one rolling mechanism that, when in operation, rotates the rolling mechanism around an axis of rotation causing a rocking action. The apparatus may be utilized for rocking a variety of pieces of furniture such as a safety infant car seat, a stroller seat, a rocking chair, a swing or a hammock. According to some embodiments the rolling mechanism is connected to a driving portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority from co-pending International Patent Application Ser. No. PCT/IL2017/050176, filed Feb. 12, 2017, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/295,157 filed Feb. 15, 2016, the entire contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of accessories for rocking furniture, and more particularly to the field of accessories for rocking infant seats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infant seats for carrying infants are known. The seats typically include a cradle into which the infant is seated. The seat is carried by straps that hang from both sides of the cradle, or, by means of a rigid carrying handle.

Typically, the carrying handle may be rotated into one of three positions: (a) carrying position, in which the carrying handle is positioned upright above the cradle, (b) intermediate position, in which the carrying handle is positioned beyond the cradle's head, and enables free insertion of an infant into the cradle or its removing therefrom, (c) movement locking position, in which the carrying handle is positioned low enough to prevent the lower round portion of the seat from rocking.

Typically, the infant seats belong to one of three categories: (a) a seat that serves only as an infant seat, (b) a seat that forms a part of a stroller and it may be detached from the stroller or connected thereto, (c) a seat that serves as a safety car seat for safely carrying an infant in a motor vehicle. When an infant rests within a stroller, it is a common practice to rock the stroller back and forth in order to calm the infant, and, preferably, in order to make him asleep. When the infant rests within an infant seat, the back and forth rocking is enabled by means of a curved lower surface of the seat. Such movements of back and forth enjoyable even for grownups when for example they spend time sitting on rocking chairs, having some fun on swings as their children, or stretching out on hammocks.

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an accessory for rocking a piece of furniture.

It is a further object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an accessory for rocking an infant safety car seat.

It is yet another object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an accessory for rocking an infant stroller.

It is yet another object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a rocking accessory that is easily connected and detached from the object to be rocked.

It is still another object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a self-operated rocking apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rocking apparatus attachable to furniture according to the present invention includes at least one rolling mechanism that when in operation, the rotation of the rolling mechanism around an axis of rotation causes a rocking action. The rolling mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention includes smooth surfaces. The rolling mechanism may include three wheels, although different number of wheels may be used as well. According to one embodiment of the present invention smooth surfaces included in rolling mechanism allow operation even when one or more wheels broken or missing. The wheels may be freely turning with respect to their turning pivots, however they may include smooth surfaces to allow operation in case when one or more of the pivots of the wheels are stuck.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the rolling mechanism is connected to a driving portion. The driving portion may be connected to the rolling mechanism by a shaft. A shaft may connect the driving portion to a motor. According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, a shaft connects the driving portion to a reducing gear.

The apparatus according to the present invention may be utilized for rocking a variety of furniture such as safety infant car seat, stroller seat, a rocking chair, a swing or a hammock. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is connected with furniture via an attachment portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried out in practice, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for rocking an infant seat according to embodiments of the present invention, connected to a rear portion of an infant seat;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a rolling mechanism shown in its lowest position above ground; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of a rolling mechanism shown in its highest position above ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 6 show an apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention for rocking an infant seat 12. For a matter of simplicity, the apparatus for rocking an infant seat 10 will hereinafter be called “apparatus”. The apparatus includes two basic units, i.e., an attachment portion 14 and a driving portion 16.

It should be noted that directional terms appearing throughout the specification, e.g. “forward”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower” etc., are used as terms of convenience to distinguish the location of various surfaces relative to each other. These terms are defined with reference to the figures; however, they are used for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The attachment portion 14 is connected to the infant seat 12 that is to be rocked. Typically, the attachment portion 14 is connected to a rear portion 18 of the infant seat 12. Furthermore, since each infant seat 12 typically includes two spaced apart parallel base beams 20, the attachment portion 14 is attached to an inner portion of one of the base beams 20, i.e., toward the center of the infant seat 12.

The attachment portion 14 is connected to the infant seat 12 by methods known in the art. Thus, the attachment portion 14 may be screwed into the infant seat 12, riveted thereto, glued thereto, stitched thereto, fastened thereto by means of hook and loop fasteners, and the like.

In this position, the attachment portion 14 is ready for easy and quick holding the driving portion 16 of the apparatus 10. According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the driving portion 16 slides into a corresponding rail 22 in the attachment portion 14 and is locked in position by 30 means of a quick lock fastener 24 that is operated through a quick release lever 26.

The quick connection or release of the driving portion 16 from the attachment portion 14 enables regular use of the infant seat 12 when the driving portion 16 is not connected thereto, and, enables easy and efficient rocking of the infant seat 12 when the driving portion is connected thereto and operable as will be soon described.

The driving portion 16 includes a motor compartment 28 for storing therein an electric motor for operating the apparatus 10. The electric motor is 10 activated by an operation switch 30.

A rolling mechanism 32, having an axis of rotation A, is connected to an output shaft 34 of the motor compartment 28. Practically, the output shaft 34 is connected to the electric motor via a reducing gear (not shown) for reducing the revolutions of the output shaft 34 and increasing its torque. The rolling mechanism 32 includes three free-turning wheels 36 that are mounted on a mutual bracket 38 through turning pivots 40. Each wheel 36 is freely turning with respect to its turning pivot 40.

When the operation switch 30 is activated, the output shaft 34, and thereby the entire rolling mechanism 32, begins to roll around the axis of 20 rotation A.

In a first position of the rolling mechanism 32, as shown in FIG. 5, two wheels 36 are in contact with the ground 42. In this position, the distance between the axis of rotation A and the ground 42 is a minimal distance r.

In a second position of the rolling mechanism 32, as shown in FIG. 6, only one wheel 36 is in contact with the ground 42. In this position, the distance between the axis of rotation A and the ground 42 is a maximal distance R.

Thus, by rolling the rolling mechanism 32 around the axis of rotation A, the varying distance between the axis of rotation A and the ground 42, varying between a minimal distance r to a maximal distance R, causes an up-and-down motion of the rear portion 18 of the infant seat 12, and hence, a rocking motion of the infant seat 12.

The rocking motion is better facilitated due to a lower rounded portion 44 of the base beams 20. However, it should be understood by a person skilled in the art that even without the base beams 20 being provided with a lower rounded portion 44, the up-and-down motion of the wheels 36 with respect to the axis of rotation A, and hence, the varying distance between the axis of rotation A and the ground 42, will cause a rocking motion of the infant seat 12 with respect to ground 42.

It should be appreciated that the rocking motion may be applicable to various types of seats and in various locations. Thus, the infant seat 12 may be automatically rocked when it is self-standing on ground 42, or, when it is attached to a car seat in a driving position. Thus, even when the car is standstill, the infant may be subjected to the relaxing rocking motion.

Although the present invention has been described to a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications could be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter described.

For example, the apparatus may include a number of rolling mechanisms. According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, those rolling mechanisms are coordinated.

The rolling mechanism may include smooth surfaces that can allow continuous rotation even when one wheel or more wheels are broken. The wheels can include a smooth surface that can enable continuous operation in case that one or more pivot is stuck. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operation of the rolling mechanism will not result a horizontal movement of the apparatus. However according to particular embodiment of the invention some friction is allowed between the rolling mechanism and the surface situated below it, for facilitating horizontal movement which may be found entertaining. Accordingly a bracket, which according to an embodiment of the present invention is included in the rolling mechanism, can be in various shapes, such as triangular, rectangle, trapezoidal. The bracket shape may affect the rocking rhythm. In according to particular embodiment of the invention, those brackets may be replaceable, for changing entertaining effects.

The apparatus may be operated manually and locally as described above, by the operation of the operation switch. Alternatively, the apparatus may be operated by a remote control panel.

The apparatus may be operated through regular batteries or, by connection to the mains through a transformer. However the apparatus may be operated also through rechargeable batteries.

The driving portion does not have to be connected to the attachment portion by means of a rail and a quick lock fastener, and, if desired, they may be mutually connected by other methods known in the art, for example, by bayonet connection, by butterfly nuts, and the like.

The rolling mechanism is not limited to have three wheels only and other numbers of wheels may be applicable as well, depending on the rocking motion that is required to be received.

The wheels may be formed from rubber, plastic, ECOLON®, or any other appropriate material based on the required use of the apparatus. According to another embodiment of the invention, tracks, ribbons or caterpillars are stretched between the wheels.

The apparatus may be provided with additional features that, if desired, may be sold as separate modules. Such a module may be, e.g., additional music module.

The apparatus is not limited to be used for infant seats only, and it may be equally applicable to be used with adults rest chairs or infant strollers. The apparatus may be utilized also for other kinds of furniture, such as rocking chairs, swings and hammocks. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for rocking furniture, said apparatus comprising: means for connecting said apparatus with said furniture, characterized in that, said apparatus further comprises at least one rolling mechanism, wherein said rolling mechanism rotates around an axis of rotation.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rolling mechanism comprises, smooth surfaces.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rolling mechanism comprises a plurality of wheels.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said plurality of wheels equals three.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said plurality of wheels include smooth surfaces.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of wheels is freely turning with respect to its turning pivot.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rolling mechanism is connected to a driving portion.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said mechanism is connected to an output shaft of said driving portion.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said output shaft is connected to a motor.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said connection is via a reducing gear.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is connected to furniture by an attachment portion.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the furniture is a seat.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said seat is a safety infant car seat.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said furniture is a swing.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said furniture is hammock. 